Electric-current controller



G. O. WILMS ELECTRIC CURRENT CONTROLLER March 4 1924;`

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Gustav Fled July 12. 1920 A TTORNE Y.

March `4 1924.

G, O. WILMS ELECTRIC CURRENT CONTROLLER Filed July l2 *1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR.

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March' 4 1924. 1,485,998

G. O. WILMS ELECTRIC CURRENT CONTROLLER Filed July l2 41920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @Mae/MSM T Gustav D Wllmi Patented Mar. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES A 1,485,998 PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAVO. WILMS, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE RELIANCE COM- PANY, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION 0F WISCONSIN. v

ELECTRIC-CURRENT CONTROLLER.

Application led July 12, 1920. Serial No. 395,707.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, rGUsTAv O. WILMs, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of WVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric- Current Controllers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in electric current controlling devices moie particularly of the general type shown in Patent No. 821,697, issued May 29, 1906, and adapted for controlling the operation of a reversible mill or crane motor, althou h various features of my invention may figndy equally valuable application in other devices for effecting a plurality of related controlling operations with respect 'to a circuit.

It is in general the object of my invention to simplify and otherwise improve the structure and to increase the operative efficiency of devices of this character, andxalso to increase the com actness of such devices whereby, particular y in the instance of a crane controller, the convenience and ease of o eration is facilitated, and'a minimum obstruction to the operators vision is afforded.

Controllers of the present character embody-- ing the compressible pile type ofv resistance unit are adapted to carry quite heavy current which causes the usual tendency of arcing of the associated switch contacts, and it is thereforea more specific important object of my inventionl tok provide a switch mechanism of a type adapted to involve the least danger of arcing, in combination with resistance pile compressing means in a structure of maximum compactness, it being more particularly my object in this connection to provide a clapper switch structure operable with a resistance pile com ressing means by a common actuator where y to corelate the operation of the switch structure and the compressible resistance pile in the normal starting cycle fora motor in my type of device.

In accomplishing the foregoing objects, I contemplate the provision of a common cam shaft, carrying switch and compression pile operating cams, and in practice I have found that considerable difficulty is experienced in positioning the. cams and maintaining said cams during the life of the device in their' whereby a maximum proper exact relative position, and it is therefore a further important object of my invention to provide an improved arrangement for mounting and rocking the various operating cams of the device in such manner that their proper relation may be at all times readily assured.

A further object resides in the provision of an exceedingly positive means for controlling the operation of a plurality of switch members which is of exceedingly compact nature, and with respect to a desired lninimum width of switch mechanisms it is more particularly my object in this connection to provide an arrangement whereby one of the switch units may be operated by the movable member of another switch unit and may have its movement properly integrated by such operation.

A still further object resides in the pro- 'vision of means whereby a complete motor means in the higher degrees of compression.

A still further important object resides in the provision of a controlling device of the present character wherein the engaging means of the compression piles of the device may be mani ulated to expose such piles for free access t ereto, and wherein the lower ends of the piles effec-t their electrical connections by their mere seating engagement in the device, thus permitting said piles to be lifted directly from the device in effecting their removal and avoiding the necessity of binding post connections directly with the piles.`

A still further object with respect to the convenience of operation of the device resides in the provision of an arrangement leverage is afforded for the operating handle of the device, to thus facilitate the evenness of o eration of the device, and to permit angular adjustment 0f the handle within a relatively wide range with respect to its position for operating movement, thus adapting the handle by such adjustment to the convenience of the operator.

lVith the above and other objects and advantages in view, my invention resides more particularly in the novel combination, formation and arrangement, of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my invention embodied in a controller for the motor of a crane or similar mechanism, the frame of the device being broken away at one side;

Figure 2 is a front view of the device with a portion of the frame broken away;

Figure 3 is a plan View of the device;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the lower portion of the device showing the cam mechanism for operating the switches and compreion piles;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view of the base of one of the compression piles.

Figure 6 is an elevational view illustrating one of the switch operating cams;

Figure 7 is an elevational view illustrating the other switch operating cam, and

Figure 8 is an elevational view illustrating the cam for operating the initial energy storing means.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, wherein the present exempliication of my invention constitutes a reversible motor controller for cranes or the like, I provide a framework formed preferably or" angular metal strips including apair of base strips 10 having outturned flanges apertured for the reception of securing members, said strips being connected with transverse suitable frame members 11 and with corner and intermediate angle posts 12 and 13 respectively, which are in turn connected at their upper ends by frame members 14. That ortion of the frame bounded by the interme iate posts 13 and one pair of corner posts defines a space for the reception of a plurality of, in the present instance, three carbon piles 15, of general conventional nature and including an outer casing in which the pile disks are disposed. A transverse panel 16 of insulating material is disposed in the upper portion of the carbon pile space and is apertured to loosely receive the piles 15 therethrough, and a panel 17 of insulating material is disposed in the bottom of said space and detachably seats the carbon piles in a manner later to be specilically described. That portion of the frame bounded by the intermediate posts 13 and the remaining pair of corner posts 12 defines a vertically elongated switch space having restricted horizontal dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the carbon pile space of the frame, said carbon piles being quite closely grouped in vertical alignment, and a maximum compactness of structure is thus procured, one important feature of the invention being the effective 'arrangement of the switch members in this vertically elongated switch space, as will be later set forth in detail, the switch members being carried by a vertical panel 18 secured to the intermediate posts 13. A pair of bearing plates 19 is secured to the intermediate posts 13 and to the adjacent corner posts 12 at the lower portion of the switch space of the frame, the entire frame being thus oblong in plan as shown by Figure 3 and the plates extend in the direction of pla-n elongation of the frame whereby the operating shafts carried by the platesextend transversely hence providing for play of the operating lever along the wider sides of the frame.

The common operating means for the switch mechanism and the resistance pile compression mechanism includes a cam mounting shaft 2O journaled in ball bearings 21 carried by the bearing plates 19 and loosely mounted on this shait are the hubs of a plurality of cam-plates, one cam-plate 22 being adapted for storing and releasing spring energy incidental to the progress of the motor-starting cycle, an intermediate pair of cam-plates 23 and 24.- respectively being adapted for effecting positive movement of the switch mechanism, and a fourth cam-plate 25 being adapted to procure com,

pression of the resistance piles. Each of these cam-plates carries a holding finger 26 which projects into a longitudinal slot formed in the bight of a yokey member 27 having its arms pivotally mounted on the end portions of the cam mounting shaft 20. The fingers 26 have lateral displacement in the slot and they are each held rigidly against such lateral displacement by a pair of adjusting screws 28 threaded through the sides of the slot and engaging the finger. The yoke 27 thus controls movement of the cams and each of the cams may be adjusted individually with respect to the yoke by shifting the screws 28, thus providing in a most ready manner for the relative exact adjustment of the cams, and avoiding the various inconveniences which would be encountered in the use of cotter-pins or key members for holding the cams on the shaft, in view of the exact relations required. A second shaft 28 is mounted between the bearing plates 19 and has its ends secured thereto and this second shaft carries a second yoke member 29 which has its armsV Each of the arms of the second yoke member carries a gear segment which meshes with an arcuate series of gear teeth formed on the end of the adjacent arm of the camcontrolling yoke 27. The arms of the second yoke member 29 extend above the bearing lates 19. and terminate in outstanding pint es 31. A handle lever 32 is provided for rocking the second yoke member 29 on its shaft 28 and consequently actuating the cam members and this handle lever may thus be mounted at either side of the frame of the device to suit the convenience of the operator, the lowerextremity of the lever being apertured to tit on either end of the shaft 28', and being bifurcated adjacent its lower end to loosely. receive the adjacent pintle 31, the pintle being held against movement with respect to the lever by setscrews 33 threaded in the furcated portions of the lever and engaging the pintle. The lever is of relatively great length, extending above the top of the frame and terminating at its upper end in a handle member and thus a maximum leverage action is insured for the operator, insuring a desired ease of operation of the device, and by reason of the adjustment afforded between the lever and the pintle 31, the angularity of the lever may be adjusted to a maximum degree to place the lever conveniently within the grasp of the operator for effecting the operating movement of the lever.

Taking up now the arrangement for compressing the carbon piles by action of the cam disk 25, a lever 34 is intermediately pivoted on the second yoke shaft 28', and carries a roller 35 at one end which engages the surface of the cam-disk 25, said surface of the cam-disk being extended symmetrically in both directions from a central or neutral seating point of the roller, said seating point constituting a concave section 36 of the cam surface. A rock-arm v37 is mounted on the shaft 28 and extends inwardly in the direction of the remaining end portion of the lever 34 and rocking movement of the lever 34 is transmitted to this arm 37 through a spring 38 coiled 011 a rod 39 which is passed through a lateral lug 40 on the arm 37, said rod having its upper portion extended above the arm to carry the spring, and having its lower portion extended between the arm and lever end, with its extremity bent laterally for hook engagement under the lever end. A tension-rodV 41 has its lower end connected with the arm 37 and this rod extends upwardly in substantially parallel relation to the resistance piles 15, the upper end of the rod being passed through and adjustably secured in a pivot member 42 having intles engaged in the ends of a pair of evers 43 detachably fulcrumed on a pin 44 which is mounted in a pair of ears 45 carried by the upper transverse frame member 14 at the outer side of the compression pile space, the levers 43 thus extending across the tops of the compression piles and the intermediate ortions of the leversare apertured to receive the pintles of a pivot member 46 which carries a stemhaving a ball head 47 universally engaged in a compensating compression plate 48 which is adapted to contact with the projected com-- pression studs 49 of the compression piles upon downward movement of the tension rod 41. rIrhe compression late 48 is of general triangular shape, an is held in position to properly cover the studs 49 by a pin 50 rising from the panel 16 and loosely engagedwith the plate.

When itiis desired to gain access to the compression piles 15, it is merely necessary to remove the fulcrum pin 44, whereby the lever bars 43 and the compression plate carried thereby may be swung upwardly on the pivot member 42 as a fulcrum, and the compression piles may be then removed fromrthe device by sliding them upwardly through the a ertures of the panel 16. By pivoting the ever bars 43 at one side of the roup of compression piles, and then attac ing tothe other ends of the lever bars a pull-rod which extends longitudinally of the group of carbon piles at the opposite sides thereof, the lever bars carrying a distributer pressure means at their intermediate portion, an exceedingly compact compression arrangement is procure which at the same time insures the proper even distribution of the pressure. When the controller is not in use, the gravity load of the compression means just described is relieved from the compression piles by a contractile coiled spring 51 which has one end secured to the rearward arm of the compression lever 34 and which has its other end secured to a bar 52 connecting the intermediate frame posts 13.

It is apparent that as the compression of the carbon piles15 continues in the motor starting operation to thus gradually reduce the resistance of the piles, a greater amount of force is necessary in continuing such compression, and I provide means for storing energy during the initiall portion of the movement of the operating lever and releasing said energy during the latter portion of the movement of the lever to assist the force of the operator in effecting the final higher degrees of compression. To effect this function in the present structure, a lever 53 is intermediately pivoted on a third shaft 54 carried by the side bearing plates 19 ofthe frame and this lever carries a roller 55 at one end which engages the surface of the heretofore mentioned cam-plate 22, the surface of the earn-plate or disk being extended symmetrically in both did lau lil) lill) rections from a central recessed portion 22 adapted to seat the roller in neutral position, those portions of the cam surface adjacent the neutral position being shaped to effect a rocking movement of the lever, while the more remote portions of the surface are abruptly inclined inwardly to permit the exertion of spring pressure through the lever in imparting rotative tendency to the cam structure. The remaining end portion of the lever 53 is connected with one end portion of a strong contractile spring 56 which has its other end connected With an adjusting screw 57 carried by an ear 58 whichv is secured to the frame cross-piece 52.

Spring 56 is under compression when roller 55 is in any position between recesses 55 and 56 formed in the opposite ends of cam 22. With roller 55 in a neutral or mid position engaging the central recess 22, rotation of cam shaft 20 in either direction causes the roller to ride out of the central recess raising lever 53 to slightly increase the energy stored in spring 56, and a continued rotation of shaft 20 results in the gradual release of the energy stored in the spring as roller 55 is permitted movement toward the axis of shaft 20.

The release of the energy stored in spring 56 is in proportion to the compression at the resistance, and as the reslstance aproaches full compression, roller 55 rides into the adjacent end recess permitting the full release of the spring energy. The return of the parts to normal position restores energy in spring 56, the design of cam 22 being such that an equal force is required for actuating the operating member 32 throughout any part of its movement, as energy is stored in the spring during the initial movement of the parts toward neutral with the aid of the released compression on the resistance and the energy stored in the spring is released in proportion to the increase in compression on the resistance during movementf the parts from neutral.

The switch mechanism disposed within the restricted switch space of the frame includes a squared rock-shaft 59 journaled in bearing arms 60 carried by the lower portion of the switch panel 18 and said shaft carries a plurality of pairs of arms 61 at the outer end of each of which is pivotally mounted a contact member 62 restrained in its pivotal movement relative to the arm by la spring 63. and engageable with a corresponding stationary contact 64 carried by the panel, said contact member 62 having rocking contact with the member 64 in. the usual manner of switches of this character. In the present arrangement. I provide two pairs of arms 61 and the arms of each pair are disposed in angular relation and are formed of a single member clamped to the shaft. A multiple clapper switch structure is thus provided whereby upon rocking the shaft 59 in either direction, two pairs of switch contacts will be engaged and these switch contacts may be connected with a. reversing motor in such manner as to complete the circuits for driving the motor in either direction. For rocking the switch shaft 59 in either direction, an arm 65 is carried thereby, said arm being secured by a base portion engaged against the .shaft and connected with a tieplate 66. A link 67 is pivoted at its upper end to the arm and-has its lower end bifurcated and pivoted to one end portion of a lever plate 68. This lever 68 is movable between the operative portions of the aforementioned switch cam disks 23 and 2l and the end portions of thelever have rollers 69 mounted at opposite sides thereof and each engageable with a corresponding cam disk. Each of these cam disks includes a portion adapted to effect a positive rock lng movement of the lever in either direction, and to this end the disks have their major portions offset from their axis of rotation and are provided on opposite sides with a pair of contiguous angularly related surfaces, the outer surface of each disk being adapted upon rocking movement to effect the closing movement of a set of contacts by engagement with a respective roller, dluring which action the other roller rides idly on the inner surface of the other disk and hence upon a reverse rocking` movement of the cam said inner surface of the other disk serves to disengage t-he contacts and rock the contact shaft back to neutral position. The outer end surface of each disk is concentric to its aXis and the corresponding roller rides idly on said end surface, holding the respective set of contacts in closing position as the main cam shaft is rocked to continue the compressing action on the resistance piles.

An exceeding economy of space is thus afforded in the cam structure and also with respect to the switch members by reason of the double rocking action of a single shaft carrying a yplurality of contacts selectively engageable in said double rocking action. Also, it will be noted that as the upper or lower contacts move into engaging positions from neutral. the remaining contacts carried by the shaft are still further spaced apart to decrease the possibility of arcing.

In the present structure` a short circuit switch is provided for cutting the resistance piles out of the main circuit upon completion of the starting operation. and this switch is most compactly embodied in the restricted switch space by a switch arm 70 pivoted to the switch panel 18 above the main switch mechanism, said arm extending upwardly from its pivot connection and carrying spring contacts 71 engagea-ble with stationary -contacts 72 on the upper end of the panel, the switch arm being urged from such engaging position by an expansile spring 73 disposed between it and the panel. The circuit connections for the switch arm include a. flexible connector 74 suitably anchored on the panel. The lower end of the switch arm carries an outstanding finger 75 which mounts a roller 76 riding on a cam-head formed on the tie-plate 66 of the main switch mechanism, the said camhead havingI an arcuate section concentric to the axis of the main switch shaft 59 and having raised portions at the ends of said arcuate section to e'ect the closing movementof the switch arm at the completion of the start-ing operation of the device, said closingmovement being effected byr a further shifting movement of the link 67 subsequent to closing the main switch contacts, during which action the main switch contacts have a slight idle rocking movement in engagedposition.

The entire switch mechanism is thus distributed in a vertically elongated Space corresponding in height to the necessary height of the compression piles and their operating mechanism, said switch space being restricted in its horizontal dimensions and corresponding in width to the width of the compression pile structure whereby to provide in conjunction therewith a controller mechanism of exceedingly compact nature, producing decided advantages of operation and structural relation incidental to this compactness, it being appreciated that economy of space in the cab of theordinary traveling crane or similar structure is of great importance.

lt has been stated that the carbon piles 15 have a readily detachable seating engagement on their base panel 17. In the present structure this seating engagement is effected by seatingcontact plates 77 bolted on the panel 17 in connection wit-h the electrical conductors. A' second plate 78 preferably of somewhat resilient material is disposed under each of the plates 77 and carries a pair of spring tongues 79 depending through an opening in the panel. A conducting stud 80 depends from the lower end of each of the compression pile casings and has mounted thereon a block 81 engaging the end of the casing and a nut-plate 82 below said block which seats on the plate 77 of the anel. The stud also carries a plate 83 of inverted U-shape, held in place by a nut 84, this plate providing relatively wide split legs adapted for wiping contact with thel tongues 79 of the under seating plate 78, thus insuring adequate conducting contact of the com ression piles when they are seated in the evice, it being incidentally noted that the wiping action of the legs 83 and tongues 79 provides the self-cleaning contact structure.

Summarizing the entire foregoing de scription, it is seen that I have provided an exceedingly compact, conveniently operable and highly ellicient controller device and while 4I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications of structure may be employed to meet varying conditions of use and manufacture without departing in any manner from the spirit of my invention as defined by the appended claims, and it will be further appreciated that various phases of my invention may be employed independently of the complete reversing motor starter structure herein shown.

What is claimed is: v

1. An electric current controlling device including an elongated frame oblong in cross-section, a compressible resistance means and a mechanically operated rocking type switch mechanism disposed side by side in said frame, a lever independent of the switch mechanism and disposed at one of the relatively longer sides of the frame and having a pivotal mounting at one end portion of the frame for movement in a plane substantially parallel to said side of the frame, and means operable by said lever for compressing the pile and operating said switch mechanism.

2. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance member,

a switch including a rocking contact mem-- ber movable on an axis disposed transversely of the compression axis of the resistance member, a primary actuator member, and means operable by said actuator member for compressing said resistance member and moving the switch member.

3. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance member, an actuator member, a pair of rock members each movable by said actuator member, said rock members having their axes extending transversely with respect to the direction of compression of said resistance member, one of said rock members being connected with said resistance member for compressing same, and a clapper-switch having its movable member connected with and operable by the other rock member.

4. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance member, a shaft extending transversely with respect to the direction of compression of said member, a plurality of cams on said shaft, a common .operating member for said cams, a clapper switch, means operable by one of said cams for compressing the resistance member, and means operable by the other specified cam for operating the switch.

5. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance member, a shaft extending transversely with respect to the direction of compression of said member, a plurality of cams on said shaft, a common operating member for said cams, a clapper switch, a pair of levers each engageable by one of the cams, a connection between one of the levers and the resistance member for compressing the same, and a connection between the other lever and the switch for operating said switch.

6. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance pile, a shaft extending transversely at one side of said pile, contact members carried by said shaft, other contacts selectively. engageable by the rst contacts upon rocking movement of the shaft in either direction, and a primary actuator member connected with said compression pile and rock shaft and movable in either direction from a neutral position to procure compression of the pile and to correspondingly rock the shaft in either direction.

7. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance pile, a switch mechanism disposed at one side of the pile, a second switch mechanism disposed at said side of the pile in alignment with the first switch mechanism longitudinally of the pile, cam means between said switch mechanisms for actuating the second named switch mechanism, and means including a common actuator for operating the first named switch member and compressing the ile.

P 8. An electric current controlling device includin a frame including longitudinal edge rais and a pair of intermediate side rails, a group of compression piles, means secured to said intermediate rails and a pair of edge rails for supporting said piles, a switch mechanism in the frame space bounded by the intermediate rails and the other edge rails, switch and pile actuating means, and a support for said actuating means se# curled to the intermediate and said other edge rai s.

9. An electric current controlling device including a frame including longitudinal edge rails and a pair of intermediate side rails, a group of compression piles, means secured to said intermediate rails and a pair of edge rails for supporting said piles, a switch panel carried bythe intermediate rails, switch mechanism mounted on said panel, and means carried by the frame for operating said switch mechanism and compressing said piles.

10. An electric current controlling device includin a compressible resistance pile, a

-lever fu crumed adjacent one end of the pile and extending longitudinally with respect thereto, a rocking member having adjustable connection with the lever adjacent its fulcrum, a switch mechanism disposed at one side of the resistance pile, a connection between said switch mechanism and rocking member, and a connection between said'compression pile and rocking member for compressing the pile.

11. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance pile, a lever fulcrumed adjacent one end of the pile and extending longitudinally with respect thereto, a rocking member connected with the lever adjacent its fulcrum, a switch mechanism disposed at one side of the resistance pile, a connection between said switch mechanism and rocking member, a lever pivoted transversely of the end of the pile which is remote from the lever fulcrum, a pile engaging member carried by said lever, and a link connected with said lever and extending longitudinally of the pile and movable by said rocking member.

12. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance pile, means for supporting one end of the pile, a lever extending transversely adjacent the other end of the pile and having a detachable fulcrum at one side thereof, means carried by said lever for compressing the pile, a pull rod connected with the other end portion of theflever and extending in the longitudinal direction of the pile, and means for moving said pull rod.

13. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance pile, means for supporting one end of the pile, a lever extending transversely adjacent the other end of the pile and having a detachable ulcrum at one side thereof, means carried by said lever for compressing the pile, a member pivoted at the other end ofthe lever, a pull rod adjustably connected with said member and extending in the longitudinal direction of the pile, a switch mechanism, and a common actuating means connected with said switch mechanism and pull rod.

14. An electric current controlling device including a pluralt of compressible resistance piles, means or supporting adjacent ends of the piles, a pair of levers extending transversely at the other ends of the piles and pivoted at one side of the plurality of piles, a member pivoted between the intermediate portions ofthe levers, a pressure distributing plate carried by said member, a second member pivotally mounted between the free end portions of the levers, and a pull rod connected with said second member and extending in the longitudinal direction of the resistance piles.

15. In an electric current controlling device, the combination of a socket member having an electrical contact area, a conipressible resistance pile having one end adapted to detachably seat in said socket L by said lever in electrical connection with said area, and means engageable with the other end portion of the pile for compressing the same.

16. An electric current controlling device including a socketA member having an electrical contact. area, a compressible resistance pile having one end adapted to detachably seat in said socket in electrical connection with said area, a slide mounting for the other end portion of the pile, and means engageable with said other end of the pile for compressing the pile, said last named means being movable to one side of the axis of the pile to permit withdrawal of the pile.

17. In an electric current controlling device the combination of a socket member having an electrical contact area, a compressible resistance pile having one end adapted to detachably seat in saidl socket in electrical connection with said area, `a lever extending transversely of the other end of the pile and having a detachable fulcrum at one side thereof, means carried for compressingr the pile, and a pull rod connected with the free end of the lever and extending in the longitudinal direction of the pile.

18. In a controlling device, a frame, a connector plate carried by said frame and adapted for connection of conducting means thereto, said plate being rovided with an aperture, acompression pi e having one end engageable agamst said plate in conducting contact therewith, and means carried by said pile and passed through the aperture for holding the pile against lateral movement.

19. In a controlling device, 'a frame, a connector plate carried-by said frame and adapted for connection of conducting means thereto, said plate being provided with an aperture, a compression pile having one end engageable against said plate in conducting contact therewith, means carried by said pile and passed through the aperture for holding the pile against lateral movement, said means being in electrical connection with the pile, and a conducting contact for said means.

20. In a controlling device, a frame, a connector plate carried by said frame and adapted for connection of conducting means thereto, said platebeing rovided with an aperture, a compression pi e having one end engageable against said plate in conducting contact therewith, tongues connected with said plate and extending therefrom at the sides of said aperture, and tongues carried by the pile and. engageable between the first named tongues and in conducting contact therewith.

21. In a controlling device, a seat member provided with an aperture, a compression pile having one end engageable aga-inst said seat member, a plate of' inverted U-shape secured to the end of the compression pile and adapted to pass through said aperture, and contact members enga-geable with the arms of said plate.

22. In a controlling device, a frame, a connector plate carried by said frame and adapted for connection of conducting means thereto, said plate being provided with an aperture, a compression pile engageable against said plate, a stud extending from the end of the compression pile, a nut-plate threaded on said stud and engageable with the first named plate, tongues carried by said stud and extending through the aperture of the plate, and tongues in contact with the plate and engageable with the tongues of the pile.

2 3. In a controlling device, an apertured seat, a compression pile having one end engageable against said seat, conducting tongues at the sides of the aperture, and tongues carried by the end of the compression pile and engageable with the rst named tongues.

24. In an electric current controlling device, a frame, current-controlling means carried by the frame, a shaft portion projecting from the frame, a rocking member in the frame having a portion extended laterally therefrom, means connecting said rocklng portion and the control mechanism for operation thereof, a handle fulcrunied on said shaft portion, and an adjustable connection between said handle and said Arocking member.

25. In an electric current controlling device, a frame, current-controlling means carried by the frame, a shaft port-ion projecting from the frame, a rocking member in the frame having a port-ion extended laterally therefrom, means connecting said rocking portionand the control mechanism for operation thereof, a handle fulcrumed on said shaft portion and bifurcated to receive said rocking member between its furcations, and members adjustably carried by said furcations and engaging said rocking member.

26. In an electric current controlling de vice, a frame, current-controlling means cnrried by the frame, shaft portions projecting from the sides of the frame, a rocking member connected with said circuit cont-rol mechanism for operation thereof, portions projected from said rocking member at the sides of the frame, and a handle adapted for selective securement to either of said shaft portions and for connection with the corresponding projected portion of the rockingmember. I

27. In an electric current controlling device, a frame, current-controlling means carried by the frame, a shaft having its ends projected beyond the sides of the frame, a

rent control mechanism for operation therej of, and a handle adapted for selective securement on either end of the said Shaft vand for connection with the respective side portion of the yoke member.

28. In an electric current controlling device, a frame, current-controlling means carried by the frame, a handle member, means affording a fulcrum for said handle member at either side of the frame, a yoke member fulcrumed in the frame, means for connecting the handle member with either leg of the yoke member, a second fulcrumed yoke member having its legs in drive connection with the legs of the'rst yoke member, a series of cams having portions engaging the bight of the second named yoke member, and means movable by said cams for actuating said current controlling means.

29. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operating cams for said mechanisms loosely mounted on said shaft, a com- .mon member for moving said cams, and an adjustable connection between said member and each cam.

30. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operating cams for said mechanisms loosely mounted on said shaft, a slotted common actuator member, fingers on said cams engaged in the slot of said member, and means for moving said member. i

31. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operating cams for said mechanisms loosely mounted on said shaft, a slotted common actuator member, fingers on said cams engaged in the slot of said member, means adjustably holding said fingers against lateral movement in said slot,iand means for moving said member.

39.. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operating cams for said mechanisms loosely mounted on said shaft, a yoke member having its arms pivoted on the shaft, adjustable connections between the cams and the said yoke member, and means for rocking said yoke member.

33. Inan electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operating cams for said mechanisms loosely mounted on said shaft, a yoke member having its arms pivoted on the shaft, adjustable connections between the cams and the said yoke member, a second yoke member having its arms fulcrumed and in drive connection with the first yoke member, and a handle member adapted for selective securement to either arm 0f the Second yoke member.

34. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operating cams for said mechanisms loosely mounted on said shaft, a yoke member having its arms pivotedl on the shaft, adjustable connections between the cams and the said yoke member, a second shaft, a cam operated control lever on said shaft, a second yoke member having its arms fulcrumed on said second shaft and connected with the arms of the first yoke member, and means for rocking the second yoke member.

35. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operating cams for saidmechanisms loosely mounted on said shaft, a yoke member having its arms pivoted on the shaft, adjustable connections `between the cams and the said yoke member, a second yoke member having its arms fulcrumed, intermeshing gear teeth on the arms of Said yoke members, and means for rocking the second yoke member.

36. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operating cams for said mechanisms loosely mounted on said shaft, a. member in common engagement with said cam members, and means for moving said member.

37. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operatin cams for said mechanisms loosely mounte on said shaft, a yoke having its arms mounted on said shaft and having its bight portion connected with said cams, and means for rocking said yoke.

38. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operatin cams for said mechanisms loosely mounte on said shaft, a yoke having its arms mounted on said shaft and having its bight portion connected with said cams, a second shaft, a second yoke member having its arms fulcrumed on the second shaft and in drive connection with the arms of the first yoke member, and a handle lever fulcrumed on the second named shaft and adjustablyconnected with the adjacent leg of the second yoke.

39. In an electric current controlling device, a plurality of current control mechanisms, a shaft, operating cams for said mechanisms loosely mounted on the shaft, a yoke having its arms mounted on said shaft and connected with said cams, a second shaft, a second yoke member having its arms fulcrumed adjacent their bight on the second shaft, means carried by the arms of the second named yoke member for engaging and rocking the arms of the first named yoke member, and a handle member fulcrumed concentric with the fulcrum of the second named yoke member and connected pressible resistance medium,

with the adjacent arm of the second-named yoke member.

40. An electric current controlling device l including a switch mechanism, acompressible vsaid switch mechanism during an initial ortion of the movement of the cam memers, and a member engageable by the other cam member and connected with the compressible resistance medium for gradually compressing such medium during the movement o the cam members.

41. An electric current controlling ydevice including a switch mechanism, a coma pluralityA of cams, means for movin said cams in unison, a member engagea le by one of the cams and connected with the switch mechanism for closing said switch mechanism during an initial portion of the movement of the cam members, a member engageable by the other cam member and connected with the compressible resistance medium for gradually compressing such medium durin the movement of the cam members, an means associated with said cam members for moving the switch to open position in reverse movement of the cam members.

42. An electric .current controlling device including a switch mechanism, a compressible resistance medium, a plurality of cams, means for moving said cams in unison, a member engageable by one of the cams and connected with the switch mechanism for closingv said switch mechanism during an initial portion of the movement of the cam members, a member engageable by the other cam member and connected with the compressible resistance medium for gradually compressing such medium during the movement a second switch mechanism, and means carried by said cam structure for actuating said second switch mechanism adjacent the limit of movement of the cams.

43. An electric current controlling device including a switch mechanism, a compressible resistance medium, a plurality of cams, means for moving said cams in unison, a member engageable by one of the cams and connected with the switch mechanism for closing said switch mechanism during an initial portion of the movement of the cam members, a member engageable by the other cam member y pressible resistance medium for gradually compressing such medium during t e movement'of the cam lmembers, and means for relatively y adjusting "said cams.

44. An electric current controlling device including a switch mechanism, a compres- Sible resistance medium, a plurality of cams,

of the cam members,

and connected with the commeans for movin said cams in unison, a member engageab e by one of the cams and connectedl with the switch mechanism' for closing said switch mechanism during an initial portion of the movement of the cam members, a'member engageable` by the other cam member and connected with the compressible resistance medium for gradually compressing such medium during the movement of the cam members, a third cam member movable in unison with the other cams, and means operable by said third cam member for storing energy during the first portion of the movement of said cam structure and for expending said energy during the latter portion of such movement.

45. An electric current controlling device including a switch mechanism, a compressible resistance medium, a plurality of cams,

means for moving said cams in unison, a member engageable by one of the cams and connected with the switch mechanism for closing said switch mechanism during an initial portion of the movement of the cam members, a member engageable by the other cam member and connected with the compressibleresistance medium for gradually compressing such medium durin the movement of the cam members, a thir cam member movable in unison with the other cams, a spring-urged member engageable by said third cam, said third cam having portions adapted to first store energy by movement of said member and then permit the expenditure of said energy to assist the movement of the cam structure.

46. An electric current controlling device including a switch mechanism, a compressible resistance medium, a plurality of cams, means for moving said cams in unison, a member engageable by one of the cams and connected with the switch mechanism for closing said switch mechanism during an initial portion of the movement of the cam members, a member engageable by the other cam member and connected with the compressible resistance medium for gradually compressing such medium during the movement of the cam members, a third cam member movable in unison with the other cams, an` intermediately pivoted lever having a portion engageable with the third cam, and a spring connected with said lever, said cam having portions adapted to first store energy in said spring and then permit the expenditure of said stored energy to assist the move-k ment of the cam structure.

47. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance member, an operating shaft, a connection between said operating shaft and the compressible resistance member for compressing the same, a spring-urged member, and a cam on the shaft engaging said spring-urged member to compress the spring during initial p0rsof tion of the compressing action on the resistance member and to transmit the energy thus stored in the spring to the shaft during the latter portion of the compressing action on the resistance member.

48. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance pile, a switch mechanism disposed at one side of the resistance pile, a handle fulcrumed adjacent one end of the resistance pile, a plu- "rality of cams movable in unison adjacent the handle fulcrum, means operable by the handle for moving said cams, a member engageable with one of the cams and oonnected with the compressible resistance pile for compressing the same, and amember engageable by a second cam and connected with the switch mechanism for operating the same.

49. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance pile, a switch mechanism disposed at one side of the resistance pile, a handle fulcrumed adjacent one end of the resistance pile, a plurality of cams movable in unison adjacent the handle fulcrum, means operable by the handle for moving said cams, a member engageable with one of the cams and connected with the compressible resistance pile or compressing the same, a memberY engageable by a second cam with the switch mechanism for operating the same, an intermediately pivoted lever at one end portion engageable by a third cam, and a contractile spring secured to the other end portion of the lever and eX- tending in the longitudinal direction of the resistance pile, said third cam having portions adapted to first store energy by movement of saidV member and then permit the expenditure of VsaidY energy to assist the movement of the cam structure.

50. In an electric current controlling device, a compressible resistance pile, a cam member, mea-ns for moving said cam member, an intermediately pivoted lever having one end portion engageable with the cam member, a compressing member for the pile, a rock arm connected with said compressing member, anda yielding connection between said rock arm and lever.

51. In an electric current controlling device, a compressible resistance pile, a cam member, means lfor moving said cam member, an intermediately pivoted lever having one end lportion engageable with the cam member, aJ compressing member for the pile, a rock arm connected with said compressing member, a yielding connection between said rock arm and lever, and means for yieldably urging said lever into engagement with the cam.

52. In an electric current controlling device, a compressible resistance pile, a cam member, means for moving said cam memland connected' ber, an intermediately pivoted lever having one end portion engageable with the cam member, a compressing member' for the pile, a rock arm connect-ed with said compressing member, a lugon the rock arm engageable by said lever, a rod connected with the lever and slidable adjacent the rock arm, a spring on said rod bearing against therock-arm to yieldably connect the rock arm and lever in cam-actuated movement of the lever, and a second spring connected with the lever and urging said lever to engagement with the cam.

53. In an electric current controlling device, a compressible resistance pile, a cam member, means for moving said cani membei, an intermediately pivoted lever having one end portion engageable with the cam member, a compressing member for the pile, a rock arm connected with said compressing member, a rod disposed Ibetween the rock arm and lever and engaging the lever for movement thereby, and a spring on said rod bearing against the rock arm.

54. In an electric current controlling device, a compressible resistance pile, a cam member, means for moving said cam member, an intermediately pivoted lever having one end portion engageable with the cam member, a compressing member for the pile, a rock arm connected with said compressing member, a lug on the .rock arm, a rod disposed between the rock arm and lever and held against lateral movement by said lug, one end portion of the rod being engaged with the lever for movement thereby, and a spring on the rod bearing against the rock arm and urging said lever to engagement with the lug.

55. An electric current controlling device including a switch mechanism having a movable portion operable in either direction of movement to close a corresponding circuit, a compressible resistance medium, a movable cam structure having operating portions extending in opposite directions from a neutral position, a member engageable by certain cam portions and connected with the compressible resistance medium for compressing said medium upon movement of the cam llO structure in either direction, and a member engageable by other cam portions and connected with the switch mechanism for opero ating the switch mechanism in either di- L0 rection. 56. An electric current controlling device lincluding a compressible resistance medium, a rock shaft, a plurality of contact members,

carried by the rock shaft, other contacts se- 5 lectively engageable by the first named contacts upon movement* v the rock shaft in` either direction, a mo able cam structure having operating portions extending injep-"g posite directions from a neutralv position, a

member engageable by certain cam portions and connected with the resistance member for compressmg said member upon movement of the cam structure in either direction,l

and a member engageable by other cam portions and connected with the rock shaft for rockin the shaft in either direction.

57. n electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance medium, a rock shaft, a plurality of contact members carried by the rock shaft, other wntacts selectively engageable by the first named contacts upon movement of the rock shaft in either direction, a movable cam structure having operating portions extending in opposite directions from a neutral position, a member engageable by certain cam portions and connected with the resistance member for compressing said member upon movement of the cam structure in either direction, a member engageable by other cam portions and connected with the rock shaft for rocking the shaft in either direction, a second switch mechanism, and a cam carried b the rock shaft and having engagement with1 said second switch mechanism upon movement of the rock shaft in either direction to actuate said second switch mechanism.

58. An electric current controllin device ncluding a double rocking type swtc mechanism adapted to close either of a air of circuits, a compressible resistance me -um, a second rocking type switch mechanism, means for actuating said first switch mechanism to close either circuit and for imparting increasing compression to said compressible resistance medium, and means operable adjacent the limit of such compression for actuating the second switch mechanism.

59. An electric current controlling device including a double switch mechanism adapted to close either of a pair of circuits, a compressible resistance medium, a second switch mechanism, a movable cam structure, means operable by said cam structure for actuating and holding the first named switch mechanism in either circuit-closing position, means operable by said cam structure for imparting gradually increasing compression to the resistance medium, and means for actuating said second switch mechanism subsequent to actuation of the first switch mechanism.

60. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance medium, a rock shaft, oppositely extending arms carried by said rock shaft, a contact member carried byN each rock arm, other contact.

members selectively engageable by, the first named contact members upon movement of the rock shaft in either direction, la common actuator member movable in opposite directions from a neutral position, means operable by said common actuator member-for rocking said rock shaft, and means operable by said common actuator member for compressing the resistance pile upon movement of the member m either dlrection.

6l. An electric current controlling devicer including a compressible resistance medium, a rock shaft, oppositely extending arms carried by said rock shaft, a contact member carried by each rock arm, other contact members selectively engageable by the first named contact members upon movement of the rock shaft in either direction, ya common actuator member movable in opposite directions from a neutral position, means operable by said common actuator member for rocking said rock shaft, means operable by said common actuator member for compressing the resistance pile upon movement of the member in either direction, a second switch member, and means operable by said common actuator member upon movement in either direction for actuating said second switch mechanism.

62. In an electric current controlling device, a compressible resistance medium, an operating shaft, a connection between said shaft and the resistance medium for compressing the same, a switch including a movable member, a connection between said movable switch member and the shaft for moving said member, a cam carried by the movable switch member, and a second switch including a movable member operable by said cam.

63. An electric current controlling device including acompressible resistance medium, a switch mechanism including a movable member, contacts carried by said member, other contacts selectively engageable by the first named contacts upon movement of the member in either direction, a shaft, a cam member mounted on said shaft and having operating portions extending in opposite directions from a neutral point, a member engageable by said cam and connected with the resistance member for compressing the same, a second cam mounted on the shaft and including operating portions extending in opposite directions from a neutral point, means operable by said second cam for first storing power and then permitting the eX- penditure of said power in movement of the cam, a pair of cams disposed between the first vnamed cams, an intermediately pivoted member having portions engageable with 'said pair of cams, a connection between said member and the movable switch member, and means for moving said cams in unison.

64. An electric current controlling device including a compressible resistance medium, a switch mechanism including a movable member, contacts carried by said member, other contacts selectively engageable by the first named contacts upon movement of the member in either direction, a shaft, a cam member loosely mounted on said shaft and having operating portions extending in opposite directions from a neutral point, a member engageable by said cam and connected with the resistance member for compressing the same, a second caml loosely mounted on the shaft and including operating portions extending in opposite directions from a neutral point, means operable by said second cam for first storing power and then permitting the expenditure of said power in movement of the cam, a pair of cams disposed between the first named cams, an intermediately pivoted member having portions engageable with said pair of cams, a connection between said member and the movable switch member, a yoke member mounted on the shaft, land connections between said cams and the bight of the yoke member.

65. In a controlling device, a compression pile, a contact tongue carried by Said pile, a base plate, and a contact tongue carried by said plate and adapted for electrical connection with the pile carried tongue, the engagement between said tongues holding the pile against lateral' movement.

.In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin.

GUSTAV O. WILMS. 

